Heritage and Modernity
This Woollahra house weaves the rich heritage character of an original Victorian house, with elements that are unashamedly contemporary. Stripped of years of accretions, the original house has been exposed and brought to the fore. A new spiraling stair knits a capacious modern wing, including a new kitchen and family room on the ground floor and study and staff quarters above, with the historic fabric of the dwelling. Steel windows engineered to their uttermost extent fully open the family room onto an expansive outdoor terrace dappled in light. The interiors have been white washed to emphasis the grandeur of the existing house, and draw attention to the dense clutch of trees that surrounds the garden and frames views of the harbour. Wide oak floorboards and finely veined marble lend a timeless air. The simplicity of palette and detail within the house is offset by dramatic detailed light installation by Lindsey Adelman.
This grand old residence is not just class though, she also has a conscience. At the instructions of the client, the project incorporates many energy-conserving and generating technologies. This includes our first installation of geothermal air-conditioning/heating system. The system involves drilling 30m vertical loops into the ground to harness the stable temperature of the earth to power a heat pump. The loops are connected to the heat pump to circulate refrigerant & directly exchange thermal energy with the earth. Air conditioning is delivered through standard fan coil units. The lower indoor coil temperature of the system delivers a reduced humidity level compared to an air sourced system – meaning higher comfort levels. Utilising renewable energy allows the clients to reduce their carbon footprint, as well as greatly reducing the running costs over the life cycle of the equipment.
Skillful management by project architects Hugh Campbell and Candace Christensen saw this project negotiate every possible hurdle, involved the participation of a plethora of consultants, councillors and curious neighbours. The sum of the parts however forms a seamless elegant whole.
This project forms part of Luigi Rosselli Architects ongoing investigation into heritage architecture as a process of organic growth used as a means to explore a significant existing building. Similar to the development of ancient villages with closely related architecture, new works are clearly distinct from the older ones, avoiding confrontation and generational disputes.
Location : Bellevue Hill, NSW
Design Architect : Luigi Rosselli
Project Architect : Hugh Campbell & Candace Christensen
Project Manager : Mark Davies of I’ve Got Time
Builder : Alvaro Brothers
Structural Consultant : Geoff Ninnes Fong & Partners
Joiner : VRD Detailed Joinery Pty Ltd
Landscape Architect : completed by Paul Bangay Garden Design
Interior Designer : completed by Lisa Droga of Droga Design
Heritage Consultant : Graham Hall & Partners
Photography : Justin Alexander & Edward Birch
Stylist : Alexandra Donohoe of Decus
A two-storey Victorian villa clad in light-washed palette with white porches and balconies. The facade features a striking red front door, chimneys, and attic windows, surrounded by a manicured garden with lush lawn and mature trees.
© Justin Alexander
A radiant corridor with a white slatted ceiling and wide oak floorboards. The space features a yellow chair and black wall scones, bordered by glass doors on one side and a wall of lush greenery on the other, creating a seamless transition between the interior and the garden.
© Justin Alexander
A tranquil courtyard featuring a white building facade with dark louvres. A rectangular reflection pool sits adjacent to the structure, surrounded by lush trees and shrubs. The foreground features a timber deck, with dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy to create a peaceful, natural atmosphere.
© Edward Birch
This modern extension seamlessly blends clean, modernist architectural lines with its natural surroundings. Defined by light coloured walls and generous black framed glass windows, the facade glows with inviting indoor light. To the left, a timber screen offers shade, completing a design focused on harmonious integration.
© Edward Birch
A modern spiral staircase with timber treads and a black handrail ascends within a white washed stairwell. A dramatic light fixture featuring multiple glass globes and metal arms hangs from the ceiling, creating a sculptural focal point amidst the minimalist design and natural daylight.
© Edward Birch
A spiral staircase with timber treads and a dark handrail curves elegantly through a white-washed interior. A sculptural chandelier featuring multiple glass globes and branching metal arms hangs from the ceiling, serving as a dramatic focal point within the bright, minimalist stairwell.
© Justin Alexander
A light-filled interior stairwell featuring a spiraling staircase with wide oak treads and black railings. White washed walls and ceiling create a minimalist backdrop, while a dramatic cluster of spherical glass pendants hangs overhead, illuminating the light oak flooring.
© Justin Alexander
A minimalist family room with a vaulted white ceiling and wide oak floorboards. The space features a grey sofa, a dark coffee table, and black round stools arranged on a colourful striped rug. Large glass doors on the right open to an outdoor terrace, flooding the room with natural light, while a black floor lamp and wall mounted television complete the arrangement.
© Justin Alexander
A bright study nook featuring white walls and timber wainscoting. An adjustable black wall scone hangs above an open book resting on the desk, while the large window frames views of surrounding greenery, terracotta rooftops, and the city skyline in the distance.
© Justin Alexander
An airy modern living space characterised by white walls and grey flooring, with large black-framed glass doors opening to the exterior. The room features a light-coloured fabric sofa paired with black cushions, a dark dining table with metal framed chairs, and a black cabinetry unit housing a television and fireplace.
© Justin Alexander
A sunlight modern kitchen featuring a central light timber island bench, flanked by dark cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Wooden open shelving lines the rear wall, while expansive steel-framed windows flood the space with natural light and frame views of the surrounding greenery.
© Justin Alexander
A modern kitchen featuring a central light timber island and contrasting dark cabinetry with glass doors. The right wall displays wooden open shelving stocked with tableware, while stainless steel appliances are integrated into the workspace. Wide oak floorboards cover the ground, enhancing the bright, minimalist aesthetic.
© Justin Alexander
A light living room featuring white walls and wide oak floorboards, anchored by a fireplace with artwork hanging above. The space is furnished with a brown upholstered ottoman, grey armchairs, and a vibrant yellow accent chair arranged on light rugs, with views of greenery visible through the window.
© Justin Alexander
A polished study space featuring a wall of built-in timber bookshelves. The room includes a glass-topped table with a wooden base, a navy blue chair, and a black armchair with a black and white patterned cushion. Expansive windows frame views of the surrounding greenery, illuminating the white-washed interior.
© Justin Alexander
A high-contrast bedroom featuring white-washed walls and wide oak floorboards, centered around a dark grey bed with linen accents. The space includes a fireplace, armchair, and floor lamp with glass doors opening to views of the surrounding greenery.
© Justin Alexander
White double doors open to reveal a minimalist bathroom featuring a sculptural freestanding bathtub. The tub is set against finely veined marble walls with light grey and beige tones, accented by black detailing, while wide oak floorboards continue across the floor.
© Justin Alexander
A contemporary bathroom with dark mosaic tiling on the walls and floor, featuring a marble vanity top and white sanitary ware. The design includes a glass enclosed shower and recessed lighting, highlighting a clean and modern aesthetic.
© Justin Alexander